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      Oklahoma Voters Approved All Four State Questions

All four State Questions on the 2008 ballot received strong voter support November 4th.

The summaries below let Oklahomans tell you why they were either for or against these initiatives.  Content was drawn from state and county leaders, media reports, web searches, the State Election Board website, Ballotpedia and other resources.  The maximum content was 125 words per position.

SQ 735 – Exempts household personal property from taxation for 100 percent disabled veterans. 

Arguments For:  This initiative exempts from paying personal property taxes those veterans who are 100 percent permanently disabled and their surviving spouses.  

To qualify, a veteran must be honorably discharged from active service, an Oklahoma resident, and the head of household.  He or she must have a disability that is certified by the US Department of Veterans Affairs and that occurred through military action or accident or a disease contracted while in active service. 

For qualified disabled veterans who live in mobile homes on rented ground, this initiative gives them a tax break similar to that received by those who own their own home.  SQ 735 is a meaningful way to recognize the sacrifices of those injured while protecting American’s freedoms. 

Arguments Against:  No source has been located to determine exactly how many veterans may take advantage of this opportunity if passed, or its impact on tax collections.
 

SQ 741 – Prohibits retroactive filing for an exemption from ad valorem taxes.

Arguments For:  Leonard Sullivan, Oklahoma County Assessor

SQ 741 requires that a person or business file a timely application for personal or business property tax exemptions -- in the year for which the exemption is requested. 

Currently there is no time limit for filing exemptions. This can lead to unexpected monetary judgments against counties that they are unprepared to pay for – and could lead to property tax increases for our citizens.

SQ 741 was proposed by County assessors and treasurers from across Oklahoma to ensure that for every property tax break, there is a deadline for filing. It prevents taxpayers from being put at risk to pay for retroactive tax refunds.

According to The Oklahoman newspaper, SQ 741 is a common sense housekeeping measure.

Arguments Against:  Bobby Cleveland – Lexington, Oklahoma

SQ 741 prevents taxpayers from claiming tax exemptions for which they are entitled by law if they don’t file for them within a certain time period.  It could be detrimental to enlisted Oklahomans who are overseas and cannot file within the deadline.

If the county discovers it didn’t charge you enough on your past year’s taxes, it can go back and claim revenue even if several years have gone by. This is done by a tax rolls corrections board which exists in all 77 counties. In fairness, Oklahomans should be given the same rights as our government.

SQ 742 – Solidifies constitutionally an Oklahoman’s right to hunt, fish, trap and harvest game and fish. 

Arguments For:   From “Right to Hunt” distributed by the Oklahoma State Rifle Association

SQ 742 ensures that hunting, fishing and trapping are rights of all Oklahomans.  It provides for “reasonable” regulations adopted by the State Legislature and Wildlife Conservation Commission based upon scientific principles.  Decisions must be made at the state level to prevent local hunting bans that disrupt comprehensive game management strategies.

SQ 742 allows traditional methods to pursue game that is not identified as “threatened.”  The rights of private property owners are not eroded.

SQ 742 preserves Oklahoma’s hunting heritage against potential attacks by activist groups that target outdoor gaming activities nationally.  While the threat may not be imminent in Oklahoma today, the future is far from certain.  It’s critical to adopt constitutional safeguards before urbanization and other demographic shifts here change for the worse.

Arguments Against:  By Cynthia Armstrong, Oklahoma State Director - The Humane Society of the United States 

While SQ 742 claims to protect the right to hunt, the real effect of this measure would be to silence the majority of Oklahomans who are interested in having a voice in the conservation and management of Oklahoma’s wildlife resources. 

If SQ 742 is passed, future citizen proposals to protect wildlife would require a constitutional amendment—requiring twice the number of signatures as a standard initiative petition. 

As voters are asked to protect hunting as a constitutional right, hunting participation is actually declining.  Not only would including hunting in the constitution make a recreational activity a right, but it would protect an activity in which fewer and fewer people are choosing to participate.
 

SQ 743 – Allows the direct sale of wine from Oklahoma wineries making 10,000 gallons per year or less to retail package stores and restaurants.

Arguments For:  By Andrew Snyder, President - Oklahoma Grape Growers and Wine Makers Association

We need to help Oklahoma’s small but growing wine industry expand.

Unless Oklahoma wineries sell their product through liquor wholesalers, they’re currently limited to sales at festivals, fairs and their tasting rooms.

With some restrictions, SQ 743 allows small Oklahoma and out-of-state wineries to sell their product directly to liquor stores and restaurants.  In-state vineyards producing more than 10,000 gallons of wine annually – of which there are two – and out-of-state wineries producing at that level will still use wholesalers to market their wine.

SQ 743 will create jobs and will stimulate a new industry that’s on the verge of firmly establishing itself. Through small steps, it modernizes Oklahoma’s antiquated liquor laws.  It is supported by The State Chamber of Oklahoma.

Arguments Against:  SQ 743 was opposed by 11 State Representatives during the 2008 Legislative session. 

Rationale from several State Legislators:  Many Oklahomans who oppose alcohol consumption oppose SQ 743.

From the Oklahoma Malt Beverage Association and Rep. Trebor Worthen:  SQ 743 attempts to erode consumer protection laws and the effective, state based regulation of beverage alcohol. 

Oklahoma currently has a three-tier system by which beverage alcohol is regulated.  This divides the industry into suppliers, distributors, and retailers, each with its own service focus.  No one tier controls another.

Firms in the distribution tier and retail tier have a local presence, making them more accountable and amenable to regulation. This system also encourages a diversity of products and consumer choice.

SQ 743 grants special privileges to smaller wine producers to sell alcoholic beverages without the requirements that other larger producers within their tier must follow. This special status creates an unlevel playing field and puts the excluded producers at a competitive disadvantage. 

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Mailing address: 330 NE 10th Street * Oklahoma City, OK 73104